SIU exposes Home Affairs corruption scandal revealing immigration was a money-making scheme

The Special Investigating Unit’s interim report on the Department of Home Affairs has laid bare a shocking truth: South Africa’s immigration system was allegedly turned into a marketplace, where visas and permanent residence permits were sold to the highest bidder.

Vincent Cruywagen
By Vincent Cruywagen
23 Feb 2026
BM_Lindsey_home affairs at home
Illustrative image | Sources: Leon Schreiber, Minister of Home Affairs. (Photo: Gallo Images / Fani Mahuntsi) | People wait in queues at the Soweto Regional Home Affairs Office. (Photo: Gallo Images / Fani Mahuntsi)
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An interim report released on Monday, 23 February, by the acting head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), Leonard Lekgetho, has revealed widespread corruption within the Department of Home Affairs. The report identifies a “nefarious syndicate” of officials who allegedly exploited their roles in visa processing and adjudication for personal profit, fundamentally violating their professional duties.

“The SIU can reveal that so far, we have uncovered that four officials, who earn less than R25,000 per month, have received a total of R16,313,327.00 in direct deposits. Evidence indicates that certain members of this group have acquired significant assets that are grossly disproportionate to their legal income,” said Lekgetho.

Ramaphosa-Mothibi-NDPP
The acting head of the SIU, Leonard Lekgetho. (Photo: Freddy Mavunda / Business Day)
The core focus of the investigation, which will be concluded by September, was on recurring schemes involving document fraud, the manipulation of visas and work permits, and facilitation networks that enabled unauthorised entry into South Africa.

The report highlights that, as a result of the alleged maladministration, controversial preacher Shepherd Bushiri, former North West Development Corporation CFO Kudakwashe Mpofu, and Nigerian rapper Prince Daniel Obioma — also known as 3GAR — were able to obtain fraudulent residence permits.

The probe was authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2024. An interim report has since been submitted to the President, prompting the SIU to make its findings public.